Microsoft announced on Wednesday that its three data centers in Belgium will be operational beginning this autumn. These facilities will provide businesses and government entities in the country with access to local cloud infrastructure.
The company first revealed plans to build the data centers in 2021. The three facilities are located near Brussels, though the exact locations remain undisclosed for security reasons. According to Microsoft, the centers will provide fast, secure, and scalable cloud services, including local data storage and advanced AI solutions.
“Whether it is AI-driven innovation, secure data storage or advanced analytics, our local cloud services will be the foundation for the next wave of digital transformation in Belgium,” said Ron Pooters, director of the Microsoft Innovation Hub in Brussels.
This investment aligns with Microsoft’s ‘Digital AmBEtion’ plan, a multi-year initiative aimed at providing top-tier digital infrastructure, promoting digital skills development among citizens, and fostering a sustainable social impact, the company stated.
In 2021, market research firm IDC estimated that these data centers could generate up to 31.5 billion euros in new revenue and create approximately 60,000 jobs within Microsoft’s ecosystem. The ecosystem includes companies and institutions that use the technology company’s services.
